Archive for September, 2011

Kids are off from school today. I knew I wanted to get a 5 mile run in, but I debated doing an Insanity workout instead. I really need to drop 10-15 lbs and despite my diet and workout routine, it just is not happening. I really wonder if doing a HIT routine daily instead of running would be better….That being said, I love running –even though it is hard and I remain soooooo slow. Oh well–if you have any suggestions, let me know.

I was so spent after strength training at the Y yesterday am. I had gone without coffee for 48 hours–yes, that is as long as I could go. After the workout, I talked myself into a Venti Soy Latte–who am I kidding, I think part of the reason I workout is so I can enjoy my coffee. I felt SOOOOO much better after consuming.

I was soooooo happy N could meet me today for a run. I know I hold her back-I ALWAYS run slower when I run with others because talking and running requires a HUGE effort for me. We ended up running 6.13 miles with a 10:54 pace (see I really did hold her back) in 94% humidity–but it was AWESOME.

I always have fun running with N–we never struggle with conversation and I always want to hear what she has to say. It is such a perfect way to start the Sunday.

This morning was the Asbury Park Boardwalk Races for Hunger to benefit the Monmouth County Foodbank. Last year Conor and I ran the 10 K (it was his first 6 mile race) and this year Conor, Ronan, and I ran the 5 K–it was Ronan’s first race and the longest he has ever run.

Conor was not into it–his left shin was hurting (I suspect a shin splint). We tried to stay nice and slow to accommodate him but he really did not want to run and it was hard to stay positive for Ronan. Ronan took the lead at 1.5 and I tried to run back and forth between the two of them (not literally–I would slow or stop to wait for Con and them speed up to get to Ro). Ronan was getting further ahead and I asked Con what he wanted me to do–to stop and go with him or go with Ro. He said I should go with Ro–so off I went. Ronan started to slow down by 2 miles but he had plenty of gas in the tank–he was just getting tired. He finished strong. I am so proud of my boys.

Thank goodness my dad and mom were there to capture photos since both Ray and I forgot. Oh–Finn almost won an award for the first male finisher to cross the finish line in PJs–unfortunately you actually had to be registered and had to run the race in order to win:)

Well, I win the bad mom award today—yes, it is mine for the day. Finn came home from school yesterday feeling sick with a stuffy nose. I gave him a lot of cuddles and sent him to bed early. I had a group run planned and for the first time in a long time I knew people were coming and I would have company on my run (OK–ultimately, only one friend made it but still).

Woke to fog–it was pretty out. I knew it was going to rain, but I also had a feeling the heavy stuff would come later in the morning, our run was scheduled at 9–right when the kiddies get on the bus. Finn was OK this morning. Not himself and no fever–no coughs–no sneezing, but I knew he was not feeling great–I sent him off to school anyway with instructions to head to the nurse if he felt he was not well enough or started to feel sick. I also wrote a note to the teacher letting her know he was under the weather and not to hesitate to send him to the nurse–in my defense, he is my third and youngest and this ploy has worked in the past. NO I would not send a contagious–obviously sick kid to school (remember I am a nurse with a Masters Degree) but I also have been fooled into keeping kiddies home when they did not feel well only to have them miraculously recover when they realize they could spend the day in their PJs in front of the TV. So off he went with stipulations. Honestly my decision had nothing to do with my scheduled group run–Honesty–Ok, that does not sound convincing even to me.

Henry Hudson Trail in Drizzle with Fog Cloud Hovering Over the Trail

Anyway–got a 3 mile run 2 mile walk in with a friend in the rain and we got to VENT about lots of stuff. Even had time to buy B-day cake for Con and shower before the call came in from the nurse. Still no fever and she was going to convince him to stay–but by that time the mom guilts got the best of me and I said I was on my way to get him.

It was pouring by then and I got to break in my new Hunter Boots Original Tall Gloss Graphite (have the green ones–but these gray will go with everything).

I strength trained at the Y this morning–love that class. I always feel like I get a great workout. After that I headed to Starbucks for my treat, a venti soy latte (my favorite post workout treat).

It is a cool rainy day here in the NE and I wanted to run 3 today, but I ended up throwing some stuff in the crock pot—Vegetarian Chili ala Casi (don’t judge it by it’s looks–it is tastes and smells DELICIOUS, nice and spicy the way I like it):

I don’t know what possessed me, but I did 2 on the treadmill and called it quits–REGRETTING THIS–it really is a perfect day to run. Why didn’t I drag my butt outside?

My last two runs have been AWESOME–not because I am more conditioned, not because my endurance has increased, not because I am a better runner—it is because the temperature has dropped 20 degrees. Running when it is 60 degrees and there is no humidity is SOOOOOOO much better than running when it is 80 degrees and so humid my hair curls by just walking out the door.

Today was perfect–look at that sky.

I was so happy to run this morning. No one met me–but that really was no surprise–Sunday mornings are hard for most people. It was beautiful at Thompson this morning and I felt like I had the place to myself. 6.57 miles at 10:36 pace.

My post recovery protein drink—YUUUUUM.

Although I don’t eat meat and I consume limited dairy, I will eat eggs—I have ALWAYS loved eggs. I can’t wait to dig into this garden frittata with vegetarian spicy sausage.